The Newark Museum of Art Acquires Works of Art from 3 New Jersey Artists
Following the successful conclusion of the 2021 New Jersey Arts Annual: ReVision and Respond exhibition, The Newark Museum of Art, New Jersey’s largest art institution and one of the most influential museums in the United States, acquired four artworks from the exhibition for the Museum’s permanent collection. The annual NJAA series is a project of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.
“Each of these artworks from the 2021 New Jersey Arts Annual: ReVision and Respond exhibition reveals a powerful response by New Jersey artists to the events of our present moment, especially themes of representation and identity. As the Museum continues to develop its collection with an eye towards inclusivity and diversity, these works spoke to us and are emblematic of the issues impacting today’s society,” said Amy Simon Hopwood, Associate Curator of Decorative Arts at The Newark Museum of Art and an Exhibition Juror for the NJAA. “The Museum is honored to acquire these expressive artworks for our collection and for the opportunity to experience the artist’s vision through their unique perspective.”
The acquisitions include: Is This All We’re Made Of? (2019), a mixed media work by Plainfield artist Danielle Scott (above, left); Sown (2019) and Oracle (2020), two ceramic works by Cliffwood artist Donté Hayes (right and below, left); and Standing Bear (2020), a digital print on paper by Benjamin West, formerly of West Orange (bottom).
The Newark Museum of Art hosted the New Jersey Arts Annual (NJAA) exhibition from June 17 to August 22, 2021. Sponsored by the New Jersey State Council of the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment of the Arts, the NJAA is a unique series of exhibitions highlighting the State’s visual and performing artists. In partnership with major museums around the State, the show takes place each year, alternating between host institutions.
Since the inaugural 1961 NJAA exhibition, The Newark Museum of Art has hosted the NJAA event eight times between 1971 and 2021. The Museum purchased 22 artworks from those exhibitions for its American Art and Decorative Arts collections. The Curatorial team at the Museum has considered such acquisitions as they develop rotations and new installations for the institution’s Seeing America and Decorative Arts galleries.
